The Karnataka lad leapt to a distance of 1.72 metres to pocket 860 points. “I could have done better. I was just three centimetres short of the gold medallist but overall I am satisfied with the medal,” said Girish, who hails from Hassan district.
“It is a great feeling to win a medal in front of the home crowd. It’s also my first medal in a senior international meet.”
Girish, who lost the silver by just eight points to his team-mate Sanjay Kumar, has a deformed left leg. “I was born with a twisted left ankle. As I am from a poor family, I couldn’t get the right treatment when I was young. My father is a farmer so we struggled financially,” said Girish. “I hope this medal will bring me some recognition,” he added.
The 21-year-old had won a bronze in the IWAS Junior Games in 2006. Girish also participated in the IWAS Games in Chinese Taipei two years back and the Asian paralympic meet in Kuala Lumpur.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks